Medical Reserve Corps

 

Newton Medical Reserve Corps

 

Mission Statement

The Newton Medical Reserve Corps overarching goal is to support the mission and activities of the Newton Health & Human Services Department.

The mission of the Department of Health and Human Services is to protect, promote and sustain the health, harmony, and well-being of all Newton residents, in a culturally sensitive, customer-friendly manner. Our focus is on prevention.

We will endeavor to fulfill our mission by assessing community needs and by providing or promoting a wide range of health and human services programs to meet the needs of individuals and groups within the City, particularly of those who are most vulnerable.

Unit Description

The Newton Medical Reserve Corps is a group of medical and non-medical volunteers who help the Health & Human Services Department during emergencies and at public health activities throughout the year. It was officially established and recognized by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office in 2006. The unit includes approximately 90 volunteers from a variety of backgrounds including nursing, medicine, pharmacy, public health, and those who aren’t in the medical profession. Some volunteers are retired while others are working professionals. Newton collaborates with other health departments in its emergency preparedness region, Region 4b, on MRC activities including training and response.

Newton MRC volunteers were an integral part of the Department’s H1N1 flu vaccination response, and have previously been involved at ice storm shelters, a water distribution site, health fairs, seasonal flu vaccination clinics, and blood pressure clinics. New members are currently being recruited. Membership is limited to adults, but interested high school students are encouraged to contact the MRC coordinator for future possibilities.

About Volunteering

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers assist local public health to promote healthy living and prepare for and respond to emergencies. Volunteers bring a range of skills to the MRC and need not have a medical background.

Doctors, interpreters, nurses, clergy, pharmacists, IT specialists, veterinarians, retirees, dentists, social workers, childcare workers, mental health counselors, others

Becoming a Volunteer

Interested volunteers can now apply online. Visit www.region4bvolunteer.org

Training Schedule

Training is conducted in cooperation with other MRCs within Region 4b.
            Newton MRC Summer Training Schedule
            Newton MRC April Update
            Summer/Fall Region 4b MRC Training Schedule

Recent Highlights

Newton MRC volunteers were instrumental in the department’s H1N1 response. Volunteers helped vaccinate children at all of the city’s public schools, several large public clinics, and numerous smaller ones throughout Newton, including at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. All together, the Health & Human Services Department and Newton-Wellesley Hospital with the help of MRC volunteers administered nearly 14,000 doses. The MRC was recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps and the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General.

Contact Information

For more information, contact the Newton MRC Coordinator:
Teresa Wood Kett, Public Health Program Specialist
City of Newton, Department of Health & Human Services
(617) 796-1420
twood@newtonma.gov

 

See also: Emergency Preparedness